Igniter.



V4Nn.- `705,673.V Patented luly29, |902.

A. H. HUMPHREY.

IGNITER.

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7 la .v H H H H H H H H H No. 705,673. Patented luly 29, i902.

A. H.` HUMPHREY.

IGNITEB.

(Application led June 26, 1900..) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES;

,PATENT GEEIGE.

ALFRED H. I-IUMPHREY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

IGNITER.

srEcIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,673, dated July a9, 1902.

Application filed Tune 26, 1900. Serial No. 21,693. (No model.) Y

To all whom t 17m/y concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED 1I. HUMPHREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful `Improvements in Ig# niters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic igniter apparatus for cluster gas- Further objects will definitely appear in the" detailed description to'follow.

I accomplish "the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in this specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed` out in the claims.

A structure embodying my invention is clearly illustrated 'in the accompanying draw` ings, forming a part of Vthis specication, in whichl Figure l is an elevation of a cluster gas-` light or chandelier with myimproved ignitery apparatus in position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the supply-pipe being shown in section, the holder H being removed. Fig. 3A

is a detail view, partialy in section, on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, showing details of construction of my improved igniter and the method of in-n serting the same into the supply-pipe of a` chandelier or cluster. Fig. 4 is a detail sec` tional view through the holder of the automatic igniter, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, the branches from the burner being shown in full lines. Fig.` 5 is a detail view of the valve and connection to the igniter portion. Fig. Gis a detail sectional .view on linew 6 of Fig. 3, showing details of the auxiliary burner. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a modification of the connection from the center jetto the various ally.

burners of the cluster, in which perforations are utilized in place of slits in the connecting-tubes.

'In the drawings all of the sectional views are takenilooking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the sectionlines.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout'the several views.

Referring to the letteredparts of the drawings,- A is the central supply for the cluster or chandelier andis provided with branching tubes A"A', leading to each burner A" A of the cluster, six' being illustrated in this connection, each being of the usual construction of Welsbach burners, having chimneys B B of `theusual form. A valve with lever and chain isprovided for controlling the supply of gas to these burners.

Inserted into the central connection A is a combination T and elbow coupling or fitting, the elbow pointing upward in the direction of the central coupling. The gas-supply pipe G'is'inserted into the top of the T and supplies gas both to the chandelier or cluster and to theigniter apparatus. A smaller tube or pipe C' connects to the elbow coupling or iitting C and extends upwardly. This is provided with a small valve held normally closed by a'spring ct, coiled upon the stein of the same and connected tothe screw or stud n.

A chain J is attached to the lever m and depends downward to be pulled when it is de sired to ignite the burners. In the preferred construction this chain passes through a loop L' on the lever L, and the downward pull on the chain brings the button or stop J' in contact with the lever L, and the supply-valve to the jets or burners is opened at the same time. When the chain is released, the spring ct closes the igniter-valve. The valve is limited by stops r striking the pin or screw n. A sinall Bunsen burner E is provided above this valve, having passages s for the gas to mix with air. Acentral tube E extends above the top of the Bunsen burner and delivers gas unmixed with air upon a spongy platinum or other suitable metal or compound or combination of materials to ignite it automatic- This ignition material is contained within a tube I'I, having apertures I-I' around the same for the free admission of air. Little fingers are formed by the slots H at the bot- IOO tom, which enables this tube II to be placed upon the little head Fand be retained in position. The head F is connected to the top of the burnerE, and from it radiate small tubes or pipes F, pointing toward the various burners of the cluster, the tubes F' approaching the chimneys without extending over them and are situated considerably above the chimneys, as appears in Fig. l. If they are located at any point above the chimney within reach of the same, so that the flames therefrom will be projected above the top of the chimney, lthat is all that is required for effective service, though as I have arranged the tubes it will be found most satisfactory, because with the jets lower down they may heat the chimneys and crack them. Along the upper side of each tube F', I provide a restricted apertureeithera slit F", extending to the center of of the head F, or aseries of perforations FW- in close proximity to each other. These are to pass the flames from the central or auxiliary jet or igniter out to the ends of the tubes, so that they will be delivered over the top of each chimney to ignite each burner of the cluster.

From this description of parts the operation of my improved cluster-igniter must be obvious. The cha-in J is pulled, which admits gasto the burners of the cluster and also to the small Bunsen burner E, and also a current of undiluted gas passes up through the tube E and is directed against the igniter material I. This being platinum or any suitable composition or combination of materials ignites the jet of raw gas, and this ignites the mixture of air and gas coming up from the Bunsen burner, and as the passages therefrom are restricted this current is forced to carry outwardly through the tubes F and is ignited along the same through the restricted apertures F or F", so that the flame is delivered as a jet outwardly over the top of each burner, and each burner is consequently lighted. When this isaccomplished,the chain J is released, the spring a cuts oft the supply of gas to the igniter apparatus, and the burners continue to burn until the gas is shut off in the usual way. Where desirable, the chain J is not connected to the leverL in any manner, and the device is then operated by pulling the chain J, which operates the igniter, as before described. The gas is then turned onto the burners in the usual way, and when all are ignited the chain J is released and the igniter-valve is closed.

I have described my improved igniter in detail, as I believe it is the best form for accomplishing the desired end. I desire, however,

to remark that the structure is capable of great variation in its formation and arrangement, and I wish also to claim the features which I have illustrated broadly. I am aware that the principle is applicable to single burners and wish to claim such also. I also desire to remark that I am aware that it is not necessary to surround the igniter material I by a tube H, but that any convenient support might be provided to hold the igniter in this position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In an igniter for a cluster of gas-burners, the combination of a coupling C for insertion into the gas-supply passage; an upwardlyextending pipe C therefrom; the Bunsen burner; a valve held normally closed by a spring; a chain or connection J for opening the same; a tube E extending up within the Bunsen burner to deliver a jet of undiluted gas; a tube or holder H and an igniter compound I supported within the tube or holder in the jet of undiluted gas; a head F embracing the top of said Bunsen burner having radiating tubes or passages F therefrom with restricted passages along the top thereof to carry the flame out to the ends of the same and deliver it in jets at each burner of the cluster,all coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

2. In an igniter for chandeliers or a cluster of burners, the combination of a central Bunsen burner; a passage for undiluted gas; an igniter material supported within such undiluted-gas jet; and tribes leading from the central Bunsen burner laterally toward the burners of the cluster or group and containing restricted apertures along the same to carry the ame outwardly to the ends to ignite the burners of the group, for the purpose specified.

3. In an igniter for chandeliers or clusterburners, the combination of a central auxiliary burner; an igniter material supported within the jet of said auxiliary burner; and tubes leading from the auxiliary burner laterally toward the burners of the cluster or group, the said tubes containing restricted apertures to carry the Haine outwardly to ignite the burners of the group, as specified.

4. In an igniter for chandeliers or clusterburners, the combination of a central auxiliary burner; an igniting means for such burner; tubes leading from the auxiliary burner laterally toward the several burners ofthe cluster or group, the said tubes containing restricted apertures to carry the flame outward to ignite the burners of the group.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED H. HUMPHREY. [L. S.]

Witnesses:

A. E. HoUGHToN, Orts A. EARL.

IOC 

